James J. Corbett in Cortland

CORTLAND OPERA HOUSE

MONDAY, JAN. 13.

JAMES J. CORBETT

In His New Play,

A NAVAL CADET

Assisted by a cast of unusual excellence, including McKEE RANKIN.  Special scenery for the entire production carried with the company.

SEE,

The S. S. St. Louis in Mid Ocean.

The Gymnasium at the Naval Academy.

The Jardin de Paris in that gay city.

The Counterfeiters’ den in the slums of underground Paris. Ten great scenes.

Direction of WM. H. BRADY.

PRICES, - - 50, 75c, $1.00

Seats on sale Thursday morning [Jan. 9] at 9 o'clock at

Candy Kitchen.

 

James J. Corbett, Heavyweight Champion

 

Cortland Evening Standard, Tuesday, January 14, 1896.

He Saw Corbett.

   There was a large crowd at the D, L & W station this morning to get a glimpse of Corbett as he took the northward train bound for Utica. But the one central figure of the curious crowd was a representative of the rural districts who took his station not more than three feet in front of Corbett as he occupied a seat by the side of his wife in the waiting room. The curious party stood fast for something less than a half-hour looking first at Mr. Corbett and then at Mrs. Corbett but his look of appreciation, or perhaps amusement, was not returned by the pugilist who seemed oblivious to his surroundings. The visitor from the country, however, had the satisfaction of having a good look at the big fighter.

 

Corbett in Cortland.

   James J. Corbett in "A Naval Cadet" filled the Opera House to the doors last night. Probably nine-tenths of the people attended through a simple desire to see the man whose name has been so prominent in sporting circles rather than from an expectation of witnessing anything meritorious from a dramatic standpoint. But for all such an agreeable surprise was in store, for it would appear that Corbett really has some talent in that direction as well.

   He fitted very nicely into the character of Ned Cornell and if the thought of him as a pugilist had not been foremost in the minds of his hearers an exceedingly favorable judgment would doubtless have been passed upon him. It was plain throughout that the play was written for the man and was partly designed at least to show his athletic abilities and in some places was calculated to draw applause from the galleries, but there was nothing in it from first to last to offend in any respect the sense of the most strict.

   No one could fail to admire the magnificent figure and physique of the chief actor whether he appeared in his neat and closely fitting naval suit, in evening dress or in any other of the several attires which he wore.

   The support was very good, McKee Rankin, who is an actor of established reputation and who is said to be the tutor and instructor of Corbett in his dramatic aspirations, of course headed the list. The special scenery was elaborate and fine. No notice of this entertainment would be complete without a mention of the male quartet which sang in excellent style and harmony and whose comic numbers roused the wildest enthusiasm and compelled their recall again and again.

Reference:
James J. Corbett (Wikipedia)